Raymond Agoult
Encyclopedia
Raymond A. Agoult was a conductor and composer.
There is very little written about him. Hungarian born, Agoult lived in London on Fellows Road in the St. John's Wood district. In 1954, the BBC considered him to conduct their Scottish Variety Orchestra. but in early 1955 the job instead went to Michael Collins. Agoult was instead invited to form a new light orchestra for the Morning Music and Music While You Work radio programs. This became known as Raymond Agoult and His Players, sixteen members strong. In the 1960s he conducted the BBC Radio Orchestra, and in the 1970s he conducted Raymond Agoult and the Master Band for the Brass and Strings and Friday Night Is Music Night.
He conducted two albums, both for Decca Records
. These albums were coproductions with RCA, utilizing Decca engineers and producers. The recordings were first released by RCA
in the U.S. in the early stereo era, and reissued by Decca (London) later:
(stereo) and James Walker (mono) and engineer Cyril Windebank (stereo) and Kenneth Wilkinson
(mono) at Kingsway Hall
on January 9 and February 5, 1957. This album was also released under the title Overtures – in Spades (RCA LM 2134). Six overtures by four composers were included.
Each of these albums became audiophile standards highly rated for their sound qualities. They were re-released as vinyl records decades later by Classic Records under license from PolyGram
Special Markets with their original RCA artwork and liner notes and “shaded dog” record labels intact.
The New Symphony Orchestra of London and the London Proms Symphony Orchestra (recording orchestras) are listed on these recordings. These are apparently the same orchestra since for Clair de Lune, RCA listed the London Proms Symphony Orchestra and the later London reissue listed The New Symphony Orchestra of London.
which can be heard on a recording with the Band of the Grenadier Guards
on Entertainment Sales ESI-106. Other arrangements for band by Agoult include the Coronation March from Le prophète by Giacomo Meyerbeer
and the Grand March from Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi
.
There is very little written about him. Hungarian born, Agoult lived in London on Fellows Road in the St. John's Wood district. In 1954, the BBC considered him to conduct their Scottish Variety Orchestra. but in early 1955 the job instead went to Michael Collins. Agoult was instead invited to form a new light orchestra for the Morning Music and Music While You Work radio programs. This became known as Raymond Agoult and His Players, sixteen members strong. In the 1960s he conducted the BBC Radio Orchestra, and in the 1970s he conducted Raymond Agoult and the Master Band for the Brass and Strings and Friday Night Is Music Night.
He conducted two albums, both for Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
. These albums were coproductions with RCA, utilizing Decca engineers and producers. The recordings were first released by RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
in the U.S. in the early stereo era, and reissued by Decca (London) later:
Erik Smith
Erik George Sebastian Smith was a German-born British record producer, pianist and harpsichordist. He produced over 90 opera recordings...
(stereo) and James Walker (mono) and engineer Cyril Windebank (stereo) and Kenneth Wilkinson
Kenneth Wilkinson
Kenneth Ernest Wilkinson was an audio engineer for Decca Records, known for engineering classical recordings with superb sound quality....
(mono) at Kingsway Hall
Kingsway Hall
The Kingsway Hall, Holborn, London, built in 1912, was the home of the West London Mission of the Methodist Church, and eventually became one of the most important recording venues for classical music and film music...
on January 9 and February 5, 1957. This album was also released under the title Overtures – in Spades (RCA LM 2134). Six overtures by four composers were included.
- Clair de Lune (released in October 1959 on RCA LSC 2326 and reissued in 1970 on London STS 15160) was recorded by engineer Kenneth Wilkinson and producer Michael Williamson on May 28–31, 1958 at Walthamstow Assembly Hall. This was also released by Decca in November 1970 on SPA 111 and by RCA in May 1960 on SF 5054. Nine light classical pieces are included.
Each of these albums became audiophile standards highly rated for their sound qualities. They were re-released as vinyl records decades later by Classic Records under license from PolyGram
PolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
Special Markets with their original RCA artwork and liner notes and “shaded dog” record labels intact.
The New Symphony Orchestra of London and the London Proms Symphony Orchestra (recording orchestras) are listed on these recordings. These are apparently the same orchestra since for Clair de Lune, RCA listed the London Proms Symphony Orchestra and the later London reissue listed The New Symphony Orchestra of London.
Compositions and arrangements
Amongst Agoult’s compositions for band are Bulgarian Bugle Boy (which was recorded by The Scottish C.W.S. Band on Pye GSGL 10430). Agoult also composed two additional compositions for band, Culloden and Caramba!. His Caramba! is likely the work heard on the LP What We Want is Watney's Silver Band issued on MFP 1303. Other compositions for light orchestra include Bessie Larkin, La Canniebiere, Honouring the Haggis, Madame Guillotine and Betty Dear, the latter composition being dedicated to his wife. Agoult also made an arrangement of When Johnny Comes Marching HomeWhen Johnny Comes Marching Home
"When Johnny Comes Marching Home" is a popular song of the American Civil War that expressed people's longing for the return of their friends and relatives who were fighting in the war.-Origins:...
which can be heard on a recording with the Band of the Grenadier Guards
Grenadier Guards
The Grenadier Guards is an infantry regiment of the British Army. It is the most senior regiment of the Guards Division and, as such, is the most senior regiment of infantry. It is not, however, the most senior regiment of the Army, this position being attributed to the Life Guards...
on Entertainment Sales ESI-106. Other arrangements for band by Agoult include the Coronation March from Le prophète by Giacomo Meyerbeer
Giacomo Meyerbeer
Giacomo Meyerbeer was a noted German opera composer, and the first great exponent of "grand opera." At his peak in the 1830s and 1840s, he was the most famous and successful composer of opera in Europe, yet he is rarely performed today.-Early years:He was born to a Jewish family in Tasdorf , near...
and the Grand March from Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Verdi
Giuseppe Fortunino Francesco Verdi was an Italian Romantic composer, mainly of opera. He was one of the most influential composers of the 19th century...
.
External links
- Raymond Agoult and His Players, written by Brian Reynolds http://www.turnipnet.com/mom/raymondagoult.htm